Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A different path to publication...

This house (taupe thing with dark green roof at about 10-11 o'clock on the picture above) is my house. We are five minutes walk from Mt Eden, part of which appears in the photo in my last post. If you come and visit you'll find a very pretty part of Auckland. And now you know which house I live in there are no excuses (unless you're a stalker - thats different - the rest of you are welcome). Today I read an interesting post called 'The Five Rules of Getting a Book Deal' here. Its good solid advice although there is nothing new or surprising in it. But I am currently contemplating eschewing conventional methods for getting published and am seriously considering trying something new. I think what I need is a miracle so I am going to be hoping for one of those. Its not a big ask really - just one small little miracle, maybe two. Thats my new plan. I believe this may be a more realistic and reliable path to publication then the current methods. I will let you know how it goes.

Good grief - the "common mispellings" list is appalling!! Oh good grief, good grief. I must have gone to a very odd (or old-fashioned) primary school; we covered all of these before I was eight years old.

This post raises some interesting questions for me. Having checked out your blog and followed it some, I see you have books already published by some desirable firms, i.e. Scholastic and Random. Most writers are thinking, if only I can get in the door, then all will be well. Looks like you got in the door, yet all is not well as you are seeking a publisher. Just really curious about the story here, although if it's too personal or complex to share, I perfectly understand.

Imogen - I think even when folk have learned the rules these words can still cause trouble. They are just obstinate trouble makers. I often get a chuckle out of my word verification. I imagine some little old ex monty-pythoner sitting in a tiny office making them up.

Karen - yes I've been published, had an unpublished manuscript endorsed and supported by a famous NZ writer, and even won a national children's book award but I am still sending out my MS like other writers. Bigger sales would probably help. The rest is a mystery...

My latest book

Fuzzy Doodle

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I would love to hear from you. Want to ask me a question? Want me to visit your school, library, group and talk about writing? Want to find out where you can buy my books? Then send me a message at melinda@tale-spin.com